Device for sculling boats



(No Model.)

B H PRATT DEVICE FOR SGULLING BOATS.

No. 464,715. Patented Dec. 8,1891.

. HP D UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

EDWIN H. PRATT, OF IVARSAIV, VIRGINIA.

DEVICE FOR SCULLING BOATS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 464,715, dated December 8, 1891.

Application filed January 29 1891. Renewed October 27, 1891. Serial No. 409,974- (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EDWIN H. PRATT, a citizen of the United States, residing at l/Varsaw, in the county of Richmond and State of Virginia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Sculling Devices; andI do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference-being'had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

My invention relates to devices for sculling boats; and its objects are, first, to hold an oar fixedly to the stern of the boat to prevent vertical displacement; second, to secure a universal motion of said oar laterally; third,

to accomplish these purposes uniformly and durably, and, fourth, to accomplish these ends with structural simplicity and economy. I attain these aims with the device illustrated in the accompanying drawings,in which Figure 1 represents the stern of a boat having my device secured thereto. Fig.2 is a side view of the oar-lock detached. Fig. 3 is an'end view of the plate by which the oar is secured in the lock. Fig. at is a side View of the fulcral post whereon the oar rests, and Fig. 5 is a sectional view of the fulcrum and lock in position.

The same designations indicate corresponding parts in all the views.

The art of sculling a boat, as ordinarily practiced, is one that can only be acquired by.

persistent perseverance, because of the inevitable tendency of the oar to shift its fulcrum. My invention is therefore addressed to the production mechanically of a fixed fulcrum, which shall unerringly hold the oar to its working position. To this end I secure to the stern of the boat A a post 0, with screws E, having at its apex a knob D. A look Fis provided on one side with a central slot G, having shoulders against which the knob D will abut when reversed. The other side of said lock has a terminal pin L upwardly and a pin L at the base, pointing in the same direction, formed by bending the base of the look upon itself. The lock F may, if desired, be provided with an integral perforated lug just above the slot G, through which a cord may be loosely fastened, so as to secure the lock to the post 0. The plate J is rigidly secured to the oar I by screws H, and is provided on its lower surface with two perforated projections K, that engage the pins L L on the lock F.

B is the locker or seat of the boat A.

It will beunderstood that the oar is prevented froin shifting vertically by reason of the pins L L engaging the projections K, while it has a universal lateral movement because of the ball-and-socket joint formed by the knob D and slot G.

Having thus fully described my improvements, what I claim is- The sculling device herein shown and described, oonsisting of a post 0, rigidly secured to the stern of a boat, provided with a knob D at its apex, the lock F, having a slot G to accommodate said knob on one side and two pins L L on the other side, the plate J, having perforated projections K at its lower side, and the oar I, rigidly secured to said plate J, the whole co-operating as and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

EDWIN H. PRATT. Witnesses:

J. H. ADRIANS, WM. OSCAR Rooms. 

